Dumping Shawn

>ALICE<
I shrunk inwardly at the sight, almost wanting to hide my face. It felt like I was a junior showing public displays of affection to the new owner.

It wasn’t that I didn’t like it, but it was kind of embarrassing right now, doing inappropriate things like this. Enzo had really changed. He was no longer the loving and over-pampering husband I married.

I could tell Enzo was indulging himself in his provocative actions. His roguish grin conveyed his thorough amusement, and his enjoyment was only heightened by my reaction.

I sighed, knowing he was definitely messing with me.

I guided Enzo around the province, explaining each place in detail as we passed. The familiarity of the province displayed my knowledge and gave me small comfort for a time.

I paused for a moment between projects and looked down at our tightly clasped hands. It was like when we were in Liverpool, the comfortable and secure feeling. I stopped, turned to face him, and questioned bluntly, "Is this really necessary?"

He turned his head slightly, and our eyes locked. He then closed the gap between us. My eyes widened, and my heart skipped a beat feeling his nearness and smelling his familiar scent.

My heart raced, and my thoughts kept circling back to feelings of him kissing me. I closed my eyes, and I could feel his presence, and even his inward breath made my feelings jump.

He leaned in close and breathed a whisper seductively over my earlobe. My heart beat faster until my mind comprehended his words. "Do you have something in your eye, is it some dirt?"

My eyes opened, and my head snapped back suddenly as the romantic thoughts deserted me.

Enzo was suppressing his laughter when I stared at him through narrowed eyes, "Enjoying this huh?"

"What? Why are you annoyed? Why did you even close your eyes? Were you anticipating something more?" Enzo asked humorously.

I blushed and was about to walk forward when Enzo pulled my hand backward. Before I could realize what was going on, he had locked his lips on mine.

I was caught off-guard while I looked at Enzo's face; he was kissing me hungrily and very lovingly, and he even bit my lips.

"If I hear any more complaints, you'll receive corresponding punishment. Like this," Enzo whispered between my lips before releasing me.

"Alright," I muttered in a daze.

'Oh, I think I should complain more,' I thought wickedly but quickly brushed aside the perverted thought in my head.

My intuition informed me that I was being seduced. That Enzo would seduce me and dump me suddenly, exactly as I had done to him. But from my point of view, I had not dumped him; I had simply run away.

'Is there a difference between dumping and running away? That's okay, Alice, you'll be fine,' I calmed myself. I deserved that anyway.

>>>
In the distance, Shawn's face was mired in darkness. Misery, jealousy and hate were plastered all over it as he stared at Enzo who was holding Alice's hand as the pair entered an elevator.

**
Enzo was walking back to his room with me when we saw Personal Assistant Tony, who seemed to be on his way to his own room.

"What's the matter?" Enzo asked.

Tony looked at me and then back at Enzo, hesitating to speak his mind.

"What? Tell me," Enzo asked, his forehead crumpling in concern.

"Old Master called; he wanted to know what's going on between you and Madam, or else you shall attend the blind date Old Madam requested this week. She said if you don't show up, she won't eat for a week, and she was adamant. It will be solely your fault if she ends up in the hospital," Tony relayed the message in its entirety.

Enzo sighed. His mother was like that every year. She did that trick twice a year just to get him a partner, and like before, it was annoying. Despite knowing his condition, the woman always tried to arrange blind dates for him every time.

He was about to say his usual piece when a sudden idea seemed to come to him.

"Alright, let's do that and tell her I will go. Set the schedule for this week," Enzo instructed. Tony was no longer surprised, as he had an idea of what was already in his boss's mind.

Listening to the conversation, I bit my lip and thought silently, *Is he planning to get me jealous this time? How can he agree to a blind date when I, his wife, am right here? Can't he at least come up with more unique tricks?*

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard Enzo's demanding voice as he looked at me, "Pack your important things. We will travel back to Liverpool as soon as you are ready. You will be living with me."

I creased my forehead and answered, "I need to go home first. Can we travel later tonight?"

I couldn’t leave without telling Kyle my whereabouts.

Enzo nodded, then released my hand and said, "I will have someone pick you up then."

I walked back to my shop and spied Shawn along the way.

"Hey, tailor, care for a drink?"

"Oh, I’m really sorry, Shawn. I can't accept your offer right now, but I really do appreciate your concern," I said, smiling.

"Is it because of Enzo Clinton?" Shawn asked simply.

My eyes widened as I asked, "You know him?"

Shawn smirked contemptuously and commented, "Everybody knows that guy, Enzo Clinton of Clinton's International Firm and the heir to the mighty Clinton family. This is the first time I’ll be seeing him in person, but I’ve heard a lot about him."

I just nodded. Enzo Clinton was well-known, and that was a dumb question from me.

"Wait, tailor, how did you know him? I heard that he's married and doesn't allow any other women close, so what's going on?"

I gulped hard, unable to bring myself to open up that I was the wife he was talking about.

"Emm... He's just a friend. I mean, I'm close to him, very well. We're like distant family members," I couldn’t help but lie.

Shawn laughed and added, "Well, I don’t know him well personally like you do. Is the debt paid already? You know that you can call me anytime, right? If you need any help, I’m willing to lend my hands in all aspects just for you."

Shawn winked at me with his sweetest smile. He was charming and funny; that was my first impression of him.

I smiled back and said, "Okay, I will do that, and again, thank you."

I had also dumped Shawn—well, not dumped directly, but it felt like it because I knew of his romantic intentions toward me. But he was still friendly and approachable.

Then I thought about Enzo and wished he was like Shawn. I shook my head and scolded my inner self. The situations were very different, and I shouldn’t compare them.

I was free now, so I could roam around. Since Enzo knew everything, what was there to hide anymore? I couldn’t wait to see Camilla again. I felt excited at the thought since we had lost contact when I relocated to this province.

I hurriedly packed my things and waited for Kyle to come back from wherever he had gone.